He says his players are bigger and stronger this season, an area in which they will need to continue to improve considering the school's first year in the FBS and the difficult schedule looming.

“Last year when I tested them in the spring,” Franchione said, “I think we had three or four guys who could bench press 400 pounds. Right now we probably have 40.”

Junior defensive end Jordan Norfleet said he's also noticed the difference in size and strength of the players, starting with himself.

He said he's bulked up from 241 pounds to 260 and increased his bench press from 365 pounds to 400.

“During the summer, that's all we did was lift weights and run every day,” Norfleet said. “We're going to a bigger division. The need to get bigger and stronger is a must if we're going to compete with everybody else in Division I.”

Schedule breaks: Franchione pointed out the schedule, although difficult, does include two open dates, Sept. 15 and Oct. 20.

“Last year we played 12 straight games, and we didn't get an open date,” he said. “It's very taxing in college football today mentally and emotionally to do that.”

Stadium update: Athletic director Larry Teis said construction on the $33 million North End Zone Complex at Bobcat Stadium is complete.

Now all that remains, he said, is finishing the remodeling of the restrooms and concessions and the addition of the electronic ribbon board around the stadium.

“We'll easily be done” before the home opener Sept. 8 against Texas Tech, Teis said. “They're supposed to do the walkthrough this Wednesday.

“We're going to have an unbelievable on-campus facility that fans and students are going to love.”

The stadium's expansion project increases seating from 16,000 to 30,000.

Ticket sales: Teis reports 6,500 season tickets have been sold so far for this season, “about twice what we've ever done before.”

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Week ahead: Texas State is scheduled to scrimmage for the first time at 8:15 this morning, with two-a-days Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday.